title: Evaluation of three serological tests manufactured in Belarus for the diagnosis of syphilis.
abstract: The performance of three serological tests manufactured in Belarus for the diagnosis of syphilis, i.e. a microprecipitation reaction (MPR) and two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were compared with internationally recognized assays, namely the rapid plasma reagin test and the Treponema pallidum passive particle agglutination assay (TPPA). Sera from 392 consecutive patients attending Brest (Belarus) regional dermatovenereological dispensaries were tested. The sensitivity of the MPR test was low (77.3%) compared with the rapid plasma reagin test, while the specificity was high (100%). In contrast, both Belarusian ELISAs performed well when compared with the TPPA (sensitivities of 99.2% and 100%, specificities of 98.7% and 99.0%, respectively). There is a clear need to improve the sensitivity of the existing Belarusian MPR test or to use a more sensitive screening test in order to improve diagnosis of the disease in Belarus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatovenereology, Belarus Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, Minsk.
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Shimanskaya
authors.forename: Larisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhurauskaya
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pankratov
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unemo
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Domeika
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000592:standards; D011935:Reagins / Q000097:blood*; D002094:Republic of Belarus; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013587:Syphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D015415:Biomarkers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D011935:Reagins